Southern league: Lyndale holds out Hallam in women’s grand final
The women’s team is the pride of the Pumas after landing the Division 2 premiership at Clayton.
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In the middle of the season Lyndale president Ed McLean spoke of the club’s pride in its women’s team.
“Every single one of them wants to train, to learn and get better each week,’’ he said.
With five wins and two losses, the Pumas were going well at that stage.
Now, they’re doing even better. They’re a premiership team.
The Adrian Gration-coached Lyndale on Saturday claimed the SFNL Division 2 premiership with a 23-point victory over Hallam at Meade Reserve in Clayton.
“I’ll tell you something, that premiership flag hanging in the rooms looks real good,’’ Gration bubbled this morning.
“All those nights at training when it’s freezing cold and pouring rain, this makes it all worth it. I’m so proud of these girls. They’re so committed to their football and to playing as a team. Just proud to coach such a great group.’’
The Pumas booted clear in the first quarter via two goals from class player Alesha Thorne and one from Michelle Thomas and Jessica McDonald, who was fed by a Thorne handball.
The Hawks hit back through Natalie Horua and Jessica Wilkinson in the second term, trimming the Pumas’ lead to nine points at half time.
Goals from Courtney Axisa and McDonald early in the third quarter got the Pumas going again, and when Thorne booted her third Lyndale was 29 points clear.
It was too much for Hallam, which fought the game out well but finished in arrears 8.11 (59) to 5.6 (36).
Gration praised Thorne’s contribution, saying she was “sublime’’ in the first term.
“Her marking strength and kicking power … when you’ve got a player who can kick torps from outside 50m … you’re set pretty well,’’ he said.
“She absolutely dominated that first quarter. It set us up for a good day, gave the girls a lot of confidence. When they came in at quarter time you could see the belief. The girls looked for ‘Thorney’ and she brought them into the game.’’
Liz Hogan won the medal as best-afield for shutting down key Hawk Chloe Marquison, who had kicked three goals against Endeavour Hills in the preliminary final.
Hogan, Thorne, Pip Attard, McDonald, Jade Lyons and Stephanie Anderson were named best for the winners.
Horua (three goals), Jaimi Kerr, Lauren Welsh, Mikeeli Hagger and Hayley Gasparini were the pick of the Hawks.
Lyndale formed a women’s team two years ago and Gration said the committee had supported it all the way.
“I know you might hear it a million times, family club, the club does this, the club does that, but what our committee has done, you couldn’t ask for anything more,’’ he said.
“And when you’re getting great support from the club, it lifts the morale of the girls. I think you could see by the Lyndale crowd — it was huge — just how much support there is.’’
Gration said Hallam had been a worthy grand finalist and the Hawks should be proud of the effort and improvement of their players.
Lyndale premiership players: Alesha Thorne, Jessica McDonald, Courtney Axisa, Michelle Thomas, Elaine Parkinson, Stephanie Anderson, Jade Lyons, Pip Attard, Elizabeth Hogan, Chantelle Marshall, Danielle Noel, Crystal Sherlock, Carlee McLaren, Demi Atkinson, Tracey Sharp, Natashia MacDonald, Cherie Cox, Kaitlyn Ligthart, Amanda Valdemarin, Haylee Kerry, Emily Bruckner, Melinda Stones, Nicola Daraio, Briana Francis-Goard.
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